Exactly Right

Our solar system within the universe is exactly suitable for life on earth. If any one of the many factors involved were to change in a significant degree or position, we would be annihilated. Just 8 examples will be addressed here.

Perfect sunlight

If the sun oscillated in size like many stars do, conditions would be unlivable on earth. The peak intensity of its light is in the infrared spectrum, which provides the warmth we need. Changes in the sun’s size would mean too little or too much warmth.

The earth spins at the correct speed

Rotation causes day and night. Longer days – gets too warm. Longer nights – gets too cold. Faster rotation would also produce more violent weather conditions than we get now.

The right tilt

The 23.5 degree tilt of the earth’s axis creates the seasons for both northern and southern hemispheres. These are vital for food production.

Perfect distance from the sun

If we were 10% closer to the sun, the earth would have furnace-like temperatures. 10% farther away would produce icy deserts. Oceans would either boil off or freeze solid.

Correct orbit of the earth

Earth’s orbit is only slightly elliptical. Any less like a circle, like some other planet orbits are, would be devastating to life on earth because of changes in the distance from the sun.

The right size.

Significantly smaller size for earth would reduce gravitational force and the water would be lost into space.

The water cycle

Water covers 70% of the earth’s surface, just right for allowing the evaporation, condensation, precipitation and drainage cycle to continually provide water for plants and animals.

Right construction

Earth offers a vast supply of resources such as wood, minerals, animals, plants and a host of other resources that are useful for mankind. In addition, earth has the right conditions to permit the formation and maintenance of the ozone layer in the atmosphere to protect us. It has a magnetic field which helps to deflect harmful radiation from the sun, and aids navigation. Our atmosphere is composed of just the right gases, unlike some of the noxious combinations found elsewhere in our solar system.

We need to be immensely grateful to our Creator for getting it just right for us. So why isn’t everything perfect on earth?  We misuse and abuse what we’ve been given in Creation and in moral principles.

Henry Wiebe